Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Went to the movies this past saturday night. Saw Insomnia. Al pacino, Hilary Swank, and Robin williams. It was good. I was mainly interested to see how Robin williams did in playing the role of a killer. Yes... Robin "Mork" williams playing the role of a killer. But I give him credit, he did a good job. It was an interesting story, with some good twists. I came from one of the writers/director of Memento so it's bound to have some good twists. I wasn't too impressed with Hilary Swank. I know she won some prestigious awards in her last few movies, but this one was nothing special on her part. Perhaps because she wasn't in the entire movie that much.
Another plus to the movie was the cinematography from the footage shot in Alaska! It looks like an incredible place.
Over all a full bag of popcorn rating.

currently reading: "Aint it Cool?" a biography about Harry knowles a self-created movie reviewer who has created a massive following, and has become a "name" in hollywood. His website: Aint It Cool
Also just picked up a book on the "National Security Agency" called "Body of Secrets".
In my CD player is:
Tweaker
- and attraction to all things uncertain. and rotating in is also "Allison Krause"

Cyen Out
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Wednesday, May 22, 2002

Sat Night we went to the movie "The Salton Sea" with Val Kilmer (sp?). It was a pretty good movie. It drug at certain points, but right about the time when you realized that it was dragging, something then happened, that brought you back. So it wasn't so bad. It was also one of those types of movies that tried to show the underbelly "drug culture". I usually don't like the drug sequences because the director tries various camera tricks to try and simulate what the drug is doing, for example blurry, or fast forward action, etc... That always sort of annoys me but I understand it. So those few minor points aside, it was a good story and good acting. You have to stick with the movie to appreciate it.
But! the movie had just started when 3 guys came in late and sat down in the row in front of me. About half way through the movie, I realized the guy in front of me was constantly leaning over to his buddy and whispering, then would chuckle. I give him credit for at least having the decency of whispering. But after about an hour of the constant whispering, giggles, and head bobbing back and forth I was loosing my temper. But at this point the movie was almost over, and not worth saying anything to him. So after the movie I had to say something... I asked him "why did you talk throughout the entire movie?" - I thought here's my chance, to get a first hand response from someone who talks, as to what goes through their mind while talking... and guess what his answer was........ "I don't know". I couldn't believe it! I was hoping to be enlightened with wisdom of the idiots, and that's what it came down to... "I don't know". I guess it just fit's in with the idiot theory, He was stupid to the point of not even knowing why he was talking when he wasn't supposed to.
So it ended up with an awkward moment, because how do I answer that? I asked if he watched the movie (yes), I asked if he liked the movie (yes, did you?) I don't think he even grasped that I was annoyed with him, and thought maybe I was making small talk after the movie. So I ended it on a threat... I said, "If you ever sit in front of me again..." and shook my head and turned away. (thinking in my mind "I'll move to another seat", or "I'll get the manager" :) I felt like the Ritz is the last theatre around to present a pleasureable movie experience. And I will not let these idiots ruin it for me.
I still wish I knew why.

angry cyen out
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Thursday, May 16, 2002

Well, I was one of the first to see Star Wars 2 - Attack of the clones. I went last "night" for the 12:01 showing. It was a bit of a screw-up on the theatre's part though. I could not believe it... Here is one of the all time greatest movies in our lifetime, and the theatre was totally unprepared for it. First off, it was supposed to start at 12:01. But they didn't start seating until 11:50! 10 minutes before the scheduled showtime!? AND... as we walked into the theatre, the credits from the previous movie were still rolling!? I mean, didn't they know they were showing starwars? So needless to say, we had to wait almost a half an hour for them to start the show. (which included 10+ minutes of commercials, and about 10 previews!) So the movie didn't start until around 12:40!
I won't go into details on the review yet, other to say the acting stunk, along with the script. The visuals were incredible though.
I'm still glad I saw it though all in all, and now look forward to the final episode.

Cyen out
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Monday, May 13, 2002

Monday blahs...
Saw Spiderman this weekend. (atually it was the second time I saw it, because I saw it with a friend on thursday night on an IMAX Big Screen!). It was a fairly good movie considering the topic... a comic book. Sure there were cheesy moments, the acting was so-so (the sad moments were almost funny). The effects were "ok" there was an obvious disreagrd of "physics" but while watching the show I didn't mind that as much. I was caught up in the fun of it. One of the lamest effects was where spidey climbs up a verticle wall. It was almost the same as watching Batman and Robin do the same thing from the 1960's TV show. I would have thought with the millions of dollars dumped into the technology of effects, they still use a camera tilted sideways. During the second viewing i was able to catch the cameo appearnce of "Stan Lee" the original creator of Spidey.
I also was looking forward to the second to last episode of the X-files. the writing of that show has really gone down hill. I still believe the actors are talented, and if given the right material could save the X-files, but I guess that's not gonna happen. The eason finale is on this coming Sunday, and is supposed to be a 2 hour special with the return of david ducuvney (fox mulder). I hope! they can make their last show good.
Also this past sunday night, was the season finale of "Alias". I've caught up to the tapes to the 20th episode so I only have 21, and 22, to watch. It's one of those bitter sweet things... It will be a long wait until next season.

And finally... I'm thinking of starting an anti-popcorn/soda campaine. I was kicking myself at being so stupid for buying a small (20 oz maybe) soda, and a medium popcorn for $7:50!!! I will be either smuggling drinks in, or boycotting altogether. AND!!! to make it even worse, they theatre is showing about 10-15 minutes of commercials Before the Previews! I mean, they are getting extra income from that now too, and yet they are still gouging the snack prices, and still provide a dirty theatre. Come on!

ok, my rants over
Cyen out
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Friday, May 10, 2002

It's harder to keep a daily blog than I thought.

no movies this past weekend. Instead I watch the tapes of the TV show "Alias" and am almost caught up to the season finale this weekend. I'm already looking forward to next season. It's a good show.

I'll leave with a funny customer service story

cyen out

Note this was yesterday's blog, but there were problems posting. So I'm trying to re-post today.
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Friday, May 03, 2002

A Swiss man, looking for directions, pulls up at a bus stop where
two Americans are waiting.

"Entschuldigung, koennen Sie Deutsch sprechen?" he asks. The two
Americans just stare at him.

"Excusez-moi, parlez vous Francais?" he tries. The two continue to
stare.

"Parlare Italiano?" No response.

"Hablan ustedes Espanol?" Still nothing.

The Swiss guy drives off, extremely disgusted. The first American
turns to the second and says, "Y'know, maybe we should learn a
foreign language."

"Why?" says the other. "That guy knew four languages, and it
didn't do him any good."

Cyen out

music in my CD player: Bob Marley
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